Yadav 1
Pahdi Yadav
Professor Milton
English 101
5 May 2008
Antivirus Programs
Today, people rely on computers to create, store, and manage critical information, many times
via a home computer network. Information transmitted over networks has a higher degree of security
risk than information kept in a user’s home or company premises. Thus, it is crucial that they take
measures to protect their computers and data from loss, damage, and misuse resulting from computer
security risks. Antivirus programs are an effective way to protect a computer against viruses.
An antivirus program protects a computer against viruses by identifying and removing any
computer viruses found in memory, on storage media, or on incoming files. 1 When you purchase a new
computer, it often includes antivirus software. Antivirus programs work by scanning for programs that
attempt to modify the boot program, the operating system, and other programs that normally are read
from but not modified. In addition, many antivirus programs automatically scan files download from
the Web, e-mail attachments, opened files, and all types of removable media inserted in the computer
(Karanos 201-205).
One technique that antivirus programs use to identify a virus is to look for virus signatures, or
virus definitions, which are known specific patterns of virus code. According to Shelly and Cashman
(Antivirus Programs), many vendors of antivirus programs allow registered users to update virus
signature files automatically from the Web at no cost for a specified time. Updating the antivirus
1
Bulowski points out that most antivirus programs also protect against worms and Trojan
horses (55-61).

Yadav 2
program’s signature files regularly is important, because it will download any new virus definitions that
have been added since the last update.
Methods that guarantee a computer or network is safe from computer viruses simply do not
exist. Installing, updating, and using an antivirus program, though, is an effective technique to safeguard
your computer from loss.
1
Bulowski points out that most antivirus programs also protect against worms and Trojan
horses (55-61).